Latest News

Help define the organization's vision: 2020-2024 Area Plan

(Posted May 28, 2020) SeniorsPlus is holding public hearings on June 16 and 17 on
its 2020-2024 Area Plan that outlines the organization’s vision to serve the
older and disabled adults populations over the next four years. The public is
invited to participate. Comments also are welcome via email or US Mail by
June 27.

(Posted April 2020) While our physical offices are not open to the public at
this time, we are open and operating our EIM services, Meals on Wheels,
Information and Assistance, SPLLC and Atypical Services.

Our phone lines are also open.

But we have had to reduce the number of staff available to
answer our phones. We are not staffing our phone lines full-time, but we are
checking messages throughout the day. Please feel free to call us with
concerns or questions and leave a message at 1-800-427-1241. Be sure to clearly state the person or
service area from which you seek support. Thank you for your patience during
this unusual time.

Another way to help

(Posted March 26, 2020) We have received word of a community Facebook page, The Help Project, created in an effort to engage people who are interested in helping shut ins, older people, and people who are immune compromised in our area. It provides a place to find volunteers if and when you need them while seeking volunteers to join the group, offer ideas or resources, or offer information regarding someone who could use volunteer help, whether it's to run an errand, pet sit, find resources, or whatever.

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 2020 cancelled

(Posted March 25, 2020) As a precaution due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus threat, we are
sorry to say that we have cancelled the Volunteer Recognition Event we had
scheduled for April 17th. Please contact Deanna Maxfield, our Volunteer
Services Coordinator, with any questions at 513-3725 or email
dmaxfield@seniorsplus.org. To our many volunteers: thank you for your service, we could not do it all without you.

Caregiver support groups invited to connect by phone

(Posted March 23, 2020) SeniorsPlus and partners including the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimers Association are dedicated to providing support for caregivers through the COVID-19 crisis. To allow us to maintain social distancing recommendations, our March and April caregiver support groups will be held over the phone at the following times.

Thursday, March 26 at 8:30 amMonday, April 6 at 3:00 pmMonday, April 13 at 5:30 pm

(Posted March 20, 2020) Our Franklin County Aging Well Mini Expo has been rescheduled. It was scheduled for April 30 and we’ve rescheduled for June 4. Additional information will be forthcoming.

SeniorsPlus announces temporary changes to programming

(Posted March 17, 2020) Out of caution and as concerns
deepen regarding the spread of the Novel Coronavirus
(COVID-19), SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging,
has temporarily closed its offices and will
no longer be making or holding any appointments requiring face-to-face
interaction with clients. Staff will continue to be
available electronically and telephonically at 1-800-427-1241. Call to purchase Around Town vouchers. Education classes have been halted temporarily. The Franklin County office in Farmington is now closed indefinitely.

Some non-essential activities, specifically the following programs, have been halted
temporarily:

Meals on
Wheels will continue with modifications. Clients of Meals on Wheels will
be informed of these modifications.

We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

A request for those who may feel ill

(posted February 28, 2020) With the goal of all of us doing our part to keep our community healthy,
we've posted the following signs at each of our offices:

Due to
the extended cold and flu season, we respectfully ask that if you are
not feeling well, that you reschedule appointments or not attend classes
in our Ed Center or other offices. We appreciate your understanding and
consideration for all of our clients and staff.

Please call 207-795-4010 if you need to reschedule an appointment.

Survey for caregivers

(posted November 20, 2019) Maine wants to improve services that support people so that they may continue to live at home comfortably for as long as possible for years to come. So the State has created a survey and is seeking input.

This survey is for people who provide care and support to older people or adults with disabilities as well as older people who have primary responsibility for the care of a grandchild or other relative under the age of 18.

Join us for listening sessions in Western Maine

(posted October 8, 2019) Are you an older adult, an adult with a physical disability, a caregiver, a pre-retiree, a veteran, or a service provider?

The Office of Aging and Disability Services wants to hear your input and learn from your experiences as they design a strategic plan to address our communities' needs. SeniorsPlus is hosting two "Listening Sessions" to gather your input on the priorities and strategies that are important to you.

Wednesday, October 23, 1-3 p.m. at the
Comfort Inn, 1022 US Rte. 2 in Wilton.

Space
is limited and RSVP is required by calling us at 207-795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241.

Pet food drive for Meals on Wheels clients

(posted July 1, 2019) Senior Planning Center is partnering with SeniorsPlus to collect pet
food for delivery with Meals on Wheels. Unopened canned and dry pet
food requested. Cat food is especially needed. Donations can be dropped off at the Senior Planning Center during business hours at their Farmington office (648 Wilton Road) and Rumford office (65 Lincoln Ave., Suite 2).

Open house at new Norway office

(posted October 1, 2018) SeniorsPlus will hold an open house to celebrate the opening of its new office in Norway.We invite you to an open house on Friday, October 19, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at 9 Marston Street, Norway, Maine. The event is free and open to the public.

Staff will be on hand to meet guests and answer questions about the organization and its services.

A complimentary continental breakfast will be served. For more information, visit www.seniorsplus.org or call 1-800-427-1241.

Additional parking during the event is available at nearby Norway Brewing Company, 237 Main Street, Norway.

SeniorsPlus to present Senior Resource Fair in Farmington

(posted September 12, 2018) SeniorsPlus will present the third annual Senior Resource Fair on
Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 8 a.m. to noon at Mt. Blue High School in
Farmington. Featuring workshops and information booths, the event is a learning
opportunity for adults. A complimentary breakfast will be served. The event is
free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mary
Richards at mrichards@seniorsplus.org
or 207-864-2645.

Three workshops will be offered covering the following
topics: introducing Healthy Living for ME and its programs for improving
health; changing gender roles in society; and avoiding scams.

The Senior Resource Fair will showcase area agencies and
programs that provide support and services for older adults in the Farmington area.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn about these different organizations,
what they offer, and how they can help older adults in Franklin County to
continue to live at home. SeniorsPlus will have a table with staff members to
answer questions about our services. Also available will be free blood pressure
checks and cholesterol screenings. There is no charge for the event and it will
include breakfast made by the Mt. Blue High School culinary students.

The Senior Resource Fair is presented by SeniorsPlus in
collaboration with its community partners on a three-year Maine Health Access
Foundation (MeHAF) "Thriving in Place" (TiP) grant that focuses on
the Farmington and Rangeley communities. The goal of the TiP grants is to
assist people with chronic health conditions to stay healthy in their homes
rather than needing hospital or nursing home care.

SeniorsPlus is grateful for the support of the partners of
the Seniors Resource Fair: Western Maine Community Action, Healthy Community
Coalition, Rangeley Health & Wellness, Rangeley Family Medicine, Franklin
County Health Network, Senior Center, and Western Maine Transportation.

Living Well for Better Health series in Carrabassett Valley

(posted May 17, 2018) Learn to access the tools you need to take back control of your health. A free Living Well for Better Health workshop series will be held Thursdays, June 7 – July 12, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library, 3209 Carrabassett Drive.

Originally developed by Stanford University, this six-week workshop series is designed to help adult participants of all ages to manage their chronic diseases and symptoms. Participants have reported less pain, more energy, and fewer hospitalizations.

The program is free, but the class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 or info@seniorsplus.org.

Living Well for Better Health series in Farmington

(posted April 30, 2018) This 6-week workshop series will be held Wednesdays from May 15-June 20, 2018, from 9-11:30 a.m. at SeniorsPlus, 218 Fairbanks Road, Farmington. Living Well for Better Health, focused on helping adults of all ages manage their chronic diseases and symptoms, is taught by trained community members, many of whom have chronic conditions themselves.

Through this proven program originally developed by Stanford University, participants have reported less pain, more energy, and fewer hospitalizations. We will be giving you the tools and tips you need to manage your chronic condition, live a healthier life, and to take back control.

Register for this FREE series by contacting SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 or info@seniorsplus.org.

Senior Buffets return to Farmington

(posted January 22, 2018) In
partnership with SeniorsPlus and under the guidance of Chef Sean Minear, the
Culinary Arts students at Foster Career and Technical Education Center will
again offer a bountiful buffet luncheon for older people age 60+. The buffets
will be served at the Chef’s Table Café at Mt. Blue High School, 129 Seamon
Road, Farmington, and will be offered from 10:45 a.m. – noon on Fridays,
January 26, February 16, and March 30, 2018.

The
buffets will include hot entrees, salads, breads, desserts, and drinks. The
suggested donation is $5.50 per person. Reservations are required; please call
SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 to reserve a spot. Parking will be available around the
back of the building, making it a short walk to the Chef’s Table. Signs will be
posted to direct you to the available parking. Handicap accessibility will
also be available.

Maine Savvy Caregiver 1 Training

(posted May 12, 2017) SeniorsPlus announces Savvy Caregiver 1 training scheduled in Oxford county. If you are caring for someone with dementia, this training will help you learn how to take care of yourself and reduce stress and also communicate more easily with your person. This is a 6-week workshop, with each session lasting two hours.

This class is free but pre-registration is required. Call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 to reserve a seat.

Training will take place at Department of Health and Human Services, Activity Room, 243 Main Street, #6, South Paris, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, June 22 through July 27.

SeniorsPlus to present free Senior Resource Fair in Franklin County

(posted September 26, 2016) SeniorsPlus, the designated Western Maine Agency on Aging, will present
a Senior Resource Fair on Saturday, October 1st from 8 am to noon at
Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Featuring workshops and information
booths, this free event is a learning opportunity for adults and is open
to the public. For more information, contact Mary Richards at
mrichards@seniorsplus.org or 864-2645.

The Senior Resource Fair will showcase area agencies and programs that
provide support and services for older adults in the Farmington area.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn about these different
organizations, what they offer, and how they can help older adults in
Franklin County to continue to live at home. SeniorsPlus will have a
table with staff members to answer questions about our services. There
is no charge for the event and it will include breakfast made by the Mt.
Blue High School culinary students.

The Senior Resource Fair is
presented by SeniorsPlus in collaboration with its community partners
on a three-year MeHaf "Thriving in Place" (TiP) grant that focuses on
the Farmington and Rangeley communities. The goal of the TiP grants is
to assist people with chronic health conditions to stay healthy in their
homes rather than needing hospital or nursing home care.

We have a new Around Town Cafe location!

(posted August 2016)Douin's Market & Diner at 150 Mercer Road in New Sharon, Maine, is its newest “Around Town” member. Part of the nutrition program of SeniorsPlus, Around Town gives older adults and adults with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy meals out at a discounted price.

To participate in the Around
Town program, pick up a voucher from either the front desk of
SeniorsPlus at 8 Falcon Road in Lewiston or the SeniorsPlus Distribution
Center on Route 4, 1472 Federal Road, Livermore. Vouchers may be used
at any one of the seven participating restaurants. Around Town guests order from a special menu. Vouchers carry a suggested donation of $5.00 each.

“We’re delighted to add Douin’s -- a local favorite -- to our list of participating Around Town restaurants,” said Betsy Sawyer-Manter, CEO of SeniorsPlus. “Around Town makes it easier for older adults in the community to meet with friends and make new friends, while enjoying good food.”

An open house and information session presented by a member of the staff of SeniorsPlus will be held at Douin’s in October.

Public hearings on State Plan on Aging include Farmington location

(posted Friday, April 8, 2016) As mandated under the
Older Americans Act, every four years the Maine DHHS, Office of Aging
and Disability Services submits a State Plan on Aging to the
Administration on Community Living (ACL). This plan covers the period of
October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2020.

The purpose of the State
Plan on Aging is to provide Maine’s framework for activities related to
programs/activities/services for older adults, document achievements,
and planned activities related to the State’s community-based services
and provide assurances to ACL that the provisions of the Older Americans
Act will be followed.

Public Hearings

(posted Friday, March 4, 2016) We will hold three public hearings on our 2016-2020 Area Plan, outlining our plan to serve the older adult and adults with disabilities populations over the next four years.

An advanced draft plan can be reviewed on our website between March 8th and March 25th, 2016 or you may pick up a copy at our office at 8 Falcon Road in Lewiston.

Written comments should be mailed to SeniorsPlus, 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston ME, 04240, and must be received on or before April 4th, 2016

For more information, visit www.seniorsplus.org or call 1-800-427-1241.

Established in 1972, SeniorsPlus is the Western Maine designated Agency on Aging covering Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties. The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus, which is headquartered in Lewiston, is to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties to remain safely at home for as long as possible. The mission of SeniorsPlus is to enrich the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities. SeniorsPlus believes in supporting the independence, dignity and quality of life of those we serve.

Gretchen Zeh-Higgins, Program Director at EIM, spoke to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services in support of LD 1350, to increase the reimbursement Rate for direct-care workers serving adults with long-term care needs. See what she had to say!

Maine Transportation Forums Announced

The Maine Department of Transportation is holding a series of forums regarding general public transit services in those communities that appear to have the largest unmet needs. They are seeking ideas from the public on how to improve services for, low income individuals, the elderly and disabled, and members of the general public.

Praise from Senator Susan Collins

Video Message from Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Chairwoman, Senate Special Committee on Aging
On the occasion of the Fill the Plate Breakfast 2015 to benefit Meals on Wheels of SeniorsPlus and the presentation of the Ikaria Award to Dr. Alan Verrill of Central Maine Medical Center and Bridgeton Hospital for singular and outstanding contributions to towards improving the lives of older adults.

Medicare Covers Durable Medical Equipment

Did you know that Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home? Anyone with Medicare Part B is eligible.

Generally, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. The amount you pay may vary depending on the kind of DME needed.

If you have questions about the cost of durable medical equipment or coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE or call us at 1-800-427-1241!